How to Choose a Mattress when Suffering from Lower Back Pain

If your mattress doesn't match your preference, or in other words, when you don't feel completely comfortable on it when you sleep, your quality of sleep suffers in the process, causing even more discomfort. To help reduce lower back pain, you need to have a mattress that provides back support, allowing the structures in the spine to rejuvenate. Your body needs to be supported in a neutral position that allows for the natural curvature of your spine, shoulders and hips. rnWith so many different types of mattresses available these days, choosing the right one can however be a real challenge, especially when you suffer from lower back pain. In this article we will give you some practical guidelines to assist you in choosing the mattress that offers the best possible back support.

1. Personal preference

Not all people with lower back pain like or require the same type of mattresses, and personal preference is therefore a reasonably dependable guide. Basically, a mattress that helps you sleep without stiffness and pain while meeting your standards for support and comfort will be the right one for you.

2. Back support

The right amount of back support will help you avoid muscle pain in the mornings when you wake up. As mentioned previously, a good mattress supports your body's natural curves as well as the alignment of your spine. Studies have indicated that a medium-firm mattress in general is the best for alleviating or preventing lower back pain, as opposed to firm or softer mattresses.

3. Physical components

Get as much information as possible about the physical characteristics and components when you go out shopping for a new bed. What gives you support are the inner springs of the mattress. Each type of mattress features a different number and arrangement of the springs, and the padding that covers the top of the mattress is also available in a wide range of materials and thicknesses. The number of springs, as well as the padding needs to be determined by your specific preferences.

4. Find a good balance

It is important to find a good balance between comfort and back support. If you sleep on a mattress that is too firm, it can cause pain on your pressure points. A medium-firm flippable mattress may therefore be the most comfortable option as it allows for the hips and shoulders to slightly sink into the mattress. If you prefer a firm mattress, the discomfort on your pressure points can be avoided or minimised by choosing a mattress that has thicker padding.

5. When to get a new mattress

How to know when you're ready for a new mattress is simple: When it visibly sags in the middle or does no longer provide a comfortable sleep, it should be replaced.

Conclusion

Your mattress is inappropriate for your needs when you wake up with back pain or pressure point pain which isn't alleviated after 20-30 minutes. Your mattress should feel as if you're floating on air.rnA good way to test mattresses in a store is by lying down on them for approximately 10 minutes, in the position that you usually sleep in. It is also a good idea to bring a pillow, so that you can replicate the way you sleep as closely as possible.